A Case for †ђξ gods

"As Ȋ̝̊̅§ usual, I would love τ̲̅ȍ announce that I do not intend τ̲̅ȍ act in atheistic temperament nor with any religion-attackin bias", this Ȋ̝̊̅§ M̶̲̥̅γ̲̣̣̥ opinion Ãήϑ I would let it be known, if you don't like it, I recommend you hug tight †ђξ transformer on your street.
That done, let's move on.
When we take a look down †ђξ halls of history, Ãήϑ we picture the wars fought on †ђξ great plains; Elba, Stalingrad, Carthage, Little Horn, †ђξ streets of Biafra, we picture bloodsoaked streets Ãήϑ bodies of men Ãήϑ women Ãήϑ children, littered everywhere as far as †ђξ eye can see. We imagine †ђξ foulest stench upon †ђξ air; †ђξ smell of corpses Ãήϑ blood Ãήϑ Death. In our minds we bemoan these battles Ãήϑ we curse this waste of human life Ãήϑ we wonder at †ђξ folly behind it all.
There Ȋ̝̊̅§ little knowledge of obvious fact, that †ђξ greatest of all these battles, †ђξ most violent, †ђξ most determining Ȋ̝̊̅§ that which has for ages been fought in †ђξ minds of man. †ђξ Battle of Mind Ãήϑ Religion.
Religion Ȋ̝̊̅§ †ђξ belief in †ђξ existence of a Supreme Power which governs †ђξ affairs of Man Ãήϑ †ђξ world. Man, as †ђξ social Ãήϑ cultural being that he Ȋ̝̊̅§ , has Religion intrinsically woven into †ђξ very fabric of his being. Every man believes in a Power (whether it be Allah, GOD, Zeus or †ђξ Mighty Atom), Ãήϑ this should never be counted against him. Where †ђξ problem lies Ãήϑ where it must be confronted Ȋ̝̊̅§ in †ђξ fanaticism or bigotry associated with these beliefs.
In †ђξ state of Nigeria (more than a couple of years ago), existed tribes Ãήϑ peoples, various 'nations' spanning from †ђξ Southern riverine areas over †ђξ mountains τ̲̅ȍ †ђξ arid North, Ãήϑ in between all these lay a vast pantheon of gods. Every tribe believed in theirs Ãήϑ in all of †ђξ Niger area all was at Spiritual peace. Until there came a camel rider from †ђξ desert Ãήϑ †ђξ religion of Islam was introduced τ̲̅ȍ this soil. Unlike †ђξ previous religions practiced in this land, this Islam spelt boldly that all other gods were false Ãήϑ their followers infidel Ãήϑ wrong. It proclaimed that whosoever followed †ђξ God of Islam was set for an Afterlife of paradise Ãήϑ those who didn't were destined for †ђξ Sheol. †ђξ people who heard this message were angered but soon enough †ђξ new religion caught on, (especially after a war was waged on its behalf), Ãήϑ all was at rest.
But not for very long.
Across †ђξ sea came another group, on iron camels[ships], this time around. These ones where whiteskinned Ãήϑ they brought a religion called Christianity Ãήϑ †ђξ god was called Jesus. This religion advocated †ђξ non-existence Ãήϑ complete powerlessness of †ђξ ancient gods, Ãήϑ it demanded that all follow its path. According τ̲̅ȍ Christian God, if you did not believe Ãήϑ spread this gospel, you will burn in Hellfire etc etc. As usual, †ђξ people did not follow completely, until there was a war, Ãήϑ they were knocked into that religion.
Ãήϑ thus began an era of religious bigotry, where men who once lived together in harmonious peace now sought τ̲̅ȍ convert their fellow brothers τ̲̅ȍ their religion, desperate Ãήϑ ready τ̲̅ȍ use force where necessary. In a classic example of a tug of war by evenly matched sides, †ђξ rope which was Nigeria tore in two.
Two, but not half.
Welcome τ̲̅ȍ Nigeria in †ђξ latter end of 2011, †ђξ land of bigotry Ãήϑ a welcome example of a country hanging by a thread. †ђξ people have all taken their places Ãήϑ †ђξ citizenry lies divided between a number of religious groups, with †ђξ majority Ãήϑ definitely most volatile being shared between †ђξ God of Islam Ãήϑ †ђξ Christian God. In †ђξ schools Ãήϑ Universities, †ђξ centres of learning, †ђξ very place where one would have expected more logical points of view, students are persuaded τ̲̅ȍ join one of †ђξ two major groups. Ãήϑ so it Ȋ̝̊̅§ , in †ђξ markets, †ђξ shops, †ђξ offices, in buses Ãήϑ on planes, †ђξ proselytizing goes on Ãήϑ we are constantly being sold one or †ђξ other brand of religion, while that which should bind us Ãήϑ National unity goes down †ђξ drain τ̲̅ȍ rest in an archive of lost hope Ãήϑ diminished glory.
When asked of a student Pastor, what he would do if a traditional worshipper walked into his class, he replied, "I will take up a cane Ãήϑ flog him out". What amazes Ȋ̝̊̅§ that, †ђξ Pastor sees nothing wrong in that. In a fit of righteousness, he throws away his sensibilities Ãήϑ †ђξ onus τ̲̅ȍ protect GOD-given freedom Ãήϑ takes upon a pseudo-mantle of punisher. What stupidity!
Ãήϑ now, I wonder, were things not better before these bigotry gods came?
Just saying...